UPSC Exam Pattern:

UPSC Examination one of the toughest exam in the world conducted for the selection of candidates for the various administrative Class A level officers under the Government of India. It was first set up on 1st of October 1926 under the recommendation of Lee Commission. Before that it was called Indian Civil Services (ICS). Now talking about the Exam Pattern, It is mainly divided into 3 main levels:

1. Prelims(screening)

        1.i General Studies.

        1.ii CSAT(Civil Service Aptitude Test)

In prelims examination the candidates are checked whether they qualify all the minimum criteria to write mains examination of not. Generally, paper 1 i.e. General Studies(GS) and paper 2 i.e. CSAT is conducted on the same day with 2 hour break gap between the papers. Each paper is to be completed by the candidates in 2 hours time. 

                        Likewise, during EXAM DAY every candidate must reach to their respective exam center before time as delayed of late entry is completely restricted, so once you loose the entry to the examination center due to any possible reason you'll have to wait for like a whole year to appear in it. So, please be cautious. When you reach the examination center, you will be cross examined with the material that you carry (must: admit card, black ball pen. optional: transparent water bottle), rest other items such as bags, mobile phones, smart watches, other belonging. will be asked to deposit within the premise or may vary as per the examination center's ability/management. You will be informed about your Exam hall and your seat via your roll number and a notice place in the premise itself, So don't panic. When you enter your examination hall, the invigilators (generally 2-3 per hall) will provide you with the OMR Sheet and will guide you on how to and what to fill inside. You will also be given a sealed Question booklet which you have to open only when they ask for. When the time of examination starts you need to break the seal and go through the questions and mark answers corresponding to it on OMR Sheet.

                      

                        GS is of 200 marks and CSAT is of 200 marks where only 1/3 is enough to qualify the CSAT paper and for GS it depends on the cutoff of that particular year. The score in GS will help you clear prelims and its marks will not be added in the final mark sheet.

                        The list of students who qualified the Prelims get published by the UPSC itself within a month. One can check the UPSC official website for a pdf file and look after their roll number in the list.

                      

2. Mains(Written)

        2.i. Essay.

        2.ii.     General Studies (Paper1) {History, Geography, Society, Art, Culture, Architecture...}

        2.iii.    General Studies (Paper2) {Polity, Government, Governance}

        2.iv.    General Studies (Paper 3) {Economy, Environment, Science &Tech, }

        2.v.     General Studies (Paper 4) {Ethics & Case-Studies}

        2.vi.    Optional Paper-1. {Of Your Choice e.g Sociology-1}

        2.vii.    Optional Paper-2. {Sociology-2}

        2.viii.    Language Paper {Any among the language mentioned in 8 schedule}

        2.ix.      Language Paper {Compulsory-> English}

                        In Mains examination we have got total 9 papers in which 2 language paper are qualifying in nature i.e. you just need to pass it and its marks are not added to the mark sheet. Only marks of Essay, GS1,2,3,4+Optional 1,2+ interview is added to publish the final merit list.

                        The EXAM DAY scenario is almost the same as of Prelims. Same SOP's will be conducted out side the examination hall. When you enter the examination hall you will be given a sealed answer booklet which you can open only when the time starts or when asked for. You will get 3 hours time and 20 questions to complete (for GS papers 1,2,3) rest may vary. After completion of first paper say from 9:00am to 12:00pm you'll get 2 hours break in between and the again Paper 2 will occur form 2:00pm till 5:00pm. The number of paper in a day may vary as worry not it will be mentioned in the admit card itself.

                        After Mains Examination the UPSC releases the merit list of candidates shortlisted for Interview. Note in between Mains and Interview the shortlisted candidates are asked to complete their Detailed Application Form (DAF).

3.INTERVIEW

                        On the day of INTERVIEW the candidates in a suitable attire and with confidence faces the Interview panel which includes The Chairman @UPSC, few Secretary Level Officers, and few other Civil Servants. The Interview goes for around 20-30 minutes. After Interview, couple of days later the candidates are asked for a medical examination about which I will post detailed article in days to come, So stay tune.

                        Now, at the end every candidate waits eagerly for the results. When results are out it cherishes their and their family faces with joy, happiness and for the candidate it is much of a satisfaction of the aim being achieved.

The Shortlisted Candidates to different services starts a new journey of responsibilities and the stepping stone is the training at LABASNAA itself...